'Mister Coach'

By J. P. “Jim” Fowler

At the age of thirty-three, Paul marries Martha and embarks on a lifelong adventure with the girl of his dreams. The couple lives the good life until the Great Depression and the affects of Prohibition bring them financial ruin. Leaving the family ranch, Paul begins working as a counterman at a local farm supply store to make ends meet. Unable to have children, Paul and Martha start volunteering at various youth activities. But Paul's greatest love is coaching youth baseball teams.

A small, timid man and a natural-born leader, Paul brings out the best in his young players by reminding them, "Ya gotta try." Even after his players grow up and start families of their own, they continue to rely on Paul for advice and support.

When Martha suffers a series of strokes, Paul has to quit coaching after his team wins the state championship. But that doesn't stop him from continuing to be the mainstay in many of his players' lives, proving that a man doesn't have to be big to make a big difference.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 30, 2005
• ISBN: 9780595808489

J. P. “Jim” Fowler

J. P. ?Jim? Fowler is a third generation Oregonian. He and his wife have two children and four grandchildren. An avid baseball fan, he played youth baseball and coached youth baseball teams for thirteen years. He is now retired from the plumbing industry.

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‘MISTER COACH’

J. P. Jim Fowler

iUniverse, Inc.

New York Lincoln Shanghai

‘MISTER COACH’

Copyright © 2005 by James P. Fowler

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ISBN-13: 978-0-595-36414-5 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-80848-9 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

P R O L O G

Chapter 1

THE WEDDING DAY

CHAPTER 2

THE TEAM

CHAPTER 3

BAT BOY, SCOOTER

CHAPTER 4

STARTING PITCHER, KEVIN

CHAPTER 5

THE CATCHER, ROBBY

CHAPTER 6

FIRST BASE, JERRY

CHAPTER 7

SECOND BASE, CHUCK

CHAPTER 8

THIRD BASE, SUNNY

CHAPTER 9

SHORT STOP, DAVE

CHAPTER 10

LEFT FIELD, ANDY

CHAPTER 11

CENTERFIELD, WALLY

CHAPTER 12

RIGHTFIELD, BERNIE

CHAPTER 13

RELIEF PITCHER, JIM

CHAPTER 14

UTILITY INFIELDER, KEN

CHAPTER 15

UTILITY OUTFIELDER, RON

CHAPTER 16

THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY

P R O L O G

Paul lived with his parents on a 1,000 acre hop ranch located on rich bottom river land. In his younger years, when his daily chores were completed he enjoyed fishing and swimming with his dog in the river that ran through the ranch. He attended school in a one-room school house his grandfather built for the community. After graduating from the eighth grade, he began working for his father. The work was long and hard, especially during the hop harvest. He ran a crew of ‘city slickers’ who spent their summers picking hops to make ends meet. The drying of the hops was hot and tedious in the many wood burning hop dryers around the ranch

It seemed to Paul and his family that the money just rolled in, with no end to the prosperity they were experiencing. He purchased several large automobiles, a pick-up truck and a fancy factory built boat.

Paul was one of those rare individuals with natural born leadership talent. The training he received from his grandmother and parents enabled him to relate to others, their problems and needs. In talking and listening to him, you would have thought he had graduated from college with a degree in physiology. He would just say, ’I graduated from the school of hard knocks and the University of Mother and Grandmother. I don’t have much book learnen. Just a lot of experience in life

An avid reader, Paul was constantly reading a book or novel. When he encountered new experiences or problems, to learn and broaden his mind, he sought out informational books at the small city library.

He remembers his grandmother telling him about her experiences in a small Conestoga wagon when she was a little girl on the long, hard trip on the Oregon trail. Each day brought new challenges, dangers and hardships with the dust, the rain and mud. In the deep snow in the mountains the children walked behind the wagons tied by rope. Each step in the soft cold snow was difficult for the children and many suffered from frost bite. Nights were long and bone cold in the high mountain of the Rockies and daily life was very hard on all. She told Paul many times that her mother, Paul’s great grandmother, would sit the children down and tell them ‘no matter how bad things got, or how hard they got, they will get better. ‘Ya gotta try’. Each step we take gets us closer to Eden in Oregon’.

When things were going bad for Paul when he was young, his grandmother constantly told him,’ya gotta try’. His mother instilled in him at a very young age to treat people the way he wanted to be treated and live the Golden Rule every minute of every day and year. His father strongly told him to treat the workers on the ranch as friends first and employees second, without them, we wouldn’t be where we are, and never, never ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t or couldn’t do yourself. Paul always remembered and lived these, especially, ‘ya gotta try’.

Paul, a tad over five-foot-six, inches tall, as he described his height, was a simple man, somewhat bashful and uncomfortable outside his own environment. His thinning white hair highlighted his rugged ruddy-colored face, which was accented by a round pug nose and bushy, white eyebrows. With his small pot belly, he looked like Santa Claus.

Due to the constant lifting of one-hundred-pound sacks of feed for many years at a farm supply store, he walked somewhat bent over at the waist with a slow, steady, shuffling gate. He wore the same clothes every day: blue jeans with a belt and suspenders, a blue cotton shirt open at the neck, a white t shirt, black shoes, and an old, dirty baseball cap from when he coached a baseball team of 15 and 16-year-old boys.

Paul, you’re in a rut, Martha his wife of 50 years scolded him daily. That tattered old baseball hat your boys gave you looks terrible. It looked terrible fifteen years ago. I don’t know why you still wear that filthy old thing.

So what, Paul protested, I don’t have to impress anybody, I wear what I want. This is my favorite cap and it’s my good luck charm.

Martha was a petite woman, just over five feet tall. She weighed about 100 pounds and seemed to become more beautiful as she aged. She had a small, round face with high check bones and beautiful brown hair, which turned snow white in her latter years. Her eyes were dark brown and she had a radiant smile for everyone she met. She always looked like she had just stepped out of an expensive dress shop, yet she made all her own clothes.

Before marrying Paul, Martha lived in a large new home in an upscale section of town with her parents, sister Irene and brother, Cyril. Her father’s automobile dealership thrived over the years enabling his family to live the good life. Martha and her siblings had everything their hearts desired, but they all had to assist around the house with daily chores. They worked in the farm fields in the summers and learned the value of work. She attended grade school and upon graduating from the twelfth grade, worked for her father and brother in the family business where she learned accounting and the importance of fiscal restraint.

We’re going to miss you. Martha’s father said, Now that you’re getting married, what are you going to do with your time?

Paul’s taking over the management of the ranch. I’m going to the bookkeeping.

When Paul and Martha were dating they often drove by a house that they just loved. They called it their dream house and wishfully hoped that they would someday own it. Their dream came true in 1936. It was a modest two bedroom house, with a small kitchen and a tiny bathroom.

The living room even had a fireplace, and opened into an under-sized dining room, which was accented by a built-in stained glass hutch.

Like all houses of its time, the clothes washer, water heater, and furnace were located in the basement. The original furnace burned sawdust, which gave off wonderful warmth. The smell of the sawdust stored in the basement kept the house smelling sweet and homey. When he was younger, Paul shoveled the sawdust into the basement storage area. As he got older, he hired boys from his baseball teams to do the work. They finally had the furnace converted to oil when sawdust became scarce and expensive.

When they first moved in, they planted a gravenstein apple tree in their backyard. With Paul’s TLC, the tree grew, giving off shade and an ample supply of delicious apples. Each spring they planted a large vegetable garden which produced enough for Paul and Martha to share with their neighbors.

Prior to her strokes, Martha spent every day in her flower garden, which was the talk of everyone in the neighborhood. You know, a neighbor said one day as Martha worked busily in the flower garden. Your yard belongs in that big home and garden magazine.

It’s just for everyone to enjoy, Martha replied self-consciously.

Paul and Martha both loved children and had tried many times to conceive. She miscarried several times then finally gave birth to a premature son who died just a few days latter. During recuperation, her doctor recommended that she have a hysterectomy. After much thought they agreed to the operation.

Martha looked at Paul as they came to take her to the operating room, I’m sorry, Paul. We won’t be able to have the family we always wanted.

Wiping tears from his wife’s face, Paul looked down at her with love in his eyes. Don’t worry about that. We’ll have each other. Who knows, maybe we can adopt a child.

They did attempt to adopt, but they were turned down by the state because their income and home were too small.

I just don’t understand, Martha said to the case worker. We can give the baby a very good home, full of love. So what if he’d have a small room. At least it would be his.

That’s right, Paul interrupted, looking disgusted with the whole affair. I’ll make more money eventually. He’d have a good home with us. But you’d rather the stayed in some run-down orphanage. It just don’t make no sense to me.

I’m sorry, the case worker replied. But I have to go by the rules. I know that you would give him a good home. But rules are rules.

Unable to have children or to adopt, they both volunteered in various youth groups and programs. The only family they had were Martha’s sister Irene, the members of the lodge which Paul was a member, the boys on the baseball teams and the other kids they assisted.

Before Martha’s paralyzing strokes she was always at Paul’s side in his various volunteer projects. But since her last stroke, she had become more and more despondent. She seldom changed from her housecoat and slippers. It if wasn’t for her sister Irene, she wouldn’t have washed her hair or put on lipstick.

Irene was several years younger than Martha. She was a bundle of energy with dark blonde hair, blues eyes and a round face which was accented by her ever present smile. She always wore three quarter length dresses to mask her plump, full size figure.

Irene married Paul’s best friend Mike. The two men became acquainted at a local fraternal lodge and enjoyed each others company and looked out for one another. Mike unlike many of the times was able to attend a nearby college, graduating with a degree in engineering. Mike dated Irene during college and the two were married just after Mike secured a job with a small engineering firm.

Irene and Mike were unable to have children, so they put themselves into each others lives. Irene learned the fine art of fly fishing and the two were inseparable, spending many enjoyable days fishing the many pristine rivers and lakes of Oregon.

The pressure of his job took a toll on Mike and he suffered a series of small heart attacks until a massive attack took his life at a young age. Irene, was left in deep shock and suffered extreme mental and physical breakdown.

Martha tried to comfort her younger sister and help her through her anguish and grief. I know things look drear to you Irene. But things will get better.

Martha, I don’t even know how to write a check, what bills to pay and when. I don’t even know if we have a savings account or if Mike had insurance. Mike did all of the finances. I just stayed home and took care of my Mike.

The two sisters hugged with tears streaming down their faces. I’ll help you. Remember what Paul always says, ‘ya gotta try’.

You and Paul have been such a big help already. Taking care of my Mike, Making all the funeral arrangements and all. I know Mike’s passing has been especially hard on Paul. They were so close for such a long time. They were like brothers. Irene said wiping the tears away.

Paul will be home soon. Please stay for dinner with us. After dinner the three of us can talk. Remember one of Paul’s saying, ‘Talking it out is diarrhea of the mind’.

The two sisters laughed and hugged each other as Paul came in the back door. Dinner will be ready soon. I’ll get us some ice tea. Martha said after she kissed her husband.

After enjoying a wonderful dinner of roast beef with all the trimmings, Paul settled back in his recliner and heard the sisters talking as they washed the dishes.

I don’t want to bother Paul with my problems. I can tell he’s grieving over Mike. Irene said as she dried a china dinner plate.

Paul got up and walked into the small kitchen. Taking Irene by the hand. Come on in the living room. Martha can finish cleaning up. I want to talk with you.

Okay, Irene said taking off her flowered apron made from a flour sack.

Irene, don’t worry about me or Martha. You’ve got to get yourself together. Yes, you lost the man of your life and part of you died with him. You have the wonderful memories of your life together, short though it was. Those memories you will have forever.

Paul, thanks, but we had such a wonderful life together. You know, we could read each others mind. It was uncanny but wonderful, we both could read each others mind.

Mike was special, but now he’s gone. You have to make a life for yourself. You’re young with a full life ahead of you, life is for the living.

My life died with Mike. There will never be another man in my life. Irene said as tears fill her blue eyes.

No! You started a new chapter in your life. You will always remember the previous chapter. Now it’s time to move on.

I don’t know if I can, Paul. I just don’t know.

"Yes you can. Martha and me will always be here to help you. Martha will help you with your fiancés and show you how to pay your bills and balance your check book. It’ll take time, but you will make it, all ya gotta do is try. Will you try?»

«Yes, I’ll try. But I don’t know how things could get much worse.» Irene said looking at Paul with tears streaming.

«Look around. Things can always gets worse. How about the lady down the street who lost her husband about the same time Mike died. She has no family whatsoever to help her. Ya gotta try!»

«Paul it’s so hard. Thanks for your concern and help. I’ll try, but it will take some time.»

Irene attended night school learning bookkeeping and worked for her father and brother as the head bookkeeper at their automobile dealership until her retirement. She lives across the street from Paul and Martha in the same house she and Mike purchased just after their wedding. Since Mike’s passing her life centered around assisting her sister and Paul after Martha suffered her strokes.

Paul appreciated what she did for them. After Martha suffered her strokes, it seemed she was always there, ready to help Martha with her morning bath or take them on their weekly grocery trips.

What a job, Paul thought to himself each time they helped Martha in and out of the tub. Getting Martha’s wheelchair down the front stairs and into the car was almost more than they could handle. Someday, we’ve got to get that porch fixed. We need a wheelchair ramp, Paul grumbled as they struggled, carefully lowering Martha down the old worn steps. Irene and Paul’s reward was seeing Martha’s enjoyment of getting out of the house.

They had very little and barely got by when Paul retired. The only income they had was their meager social security and a small pension from the store. They had a small savings account and their car was on its last legs. Martha was the bookkeeper of the family until suffering her strokes. Teaching her husband how to pay the household bills and balance the check book was a challenge

I’ll never learn this, Paul grumbled, I like it the old way; I made it and you spent it.

The planning and preparing for their 50th wedding anniversary was like a new miracle drug for Martha. She became more like her old self, laughing, singing and enjoying life again.

I don’t know what’s come over me, she said to her sister. It’s like I’ve been re-born.

You’ve taken your mind off your troubles and put all your energy into your anniversary. Irene said as she wheeled Martha into the tiny bathroom.

Martha, do you remember when you were introduced to Paul? Irene asked.

Martha gleefully answered, It was Flag Day, and we where at the park by the river. We had a wonderful picnic. Do you remember Momma helped us fry the chicken and prepare the lunch?

Those were the days, Irene agreed as she combed Martha’s hair.

Paul took us out in his shiny new boat. I was petrified, especially when we ran through the waves and the water sprayed all over us, Martha recalled.

Mike and I sat in the back of the boat and got drenched, but we sure had fun. Irene agreed.

I wasn’t too sure about that bottle of whatever it was Paul and Mike were drinking. I did try one swallow. It was awful! But it was a wonderful time with all the patriotic music and speeches. Paul looked so sporty and handsome. I knew at once that he was the man I would marry. You know, I don’t think I ever thanked Mike for introducing us.

Mike knew what you meant to each other and that was all the thanks he needed, Irene said.

Well, a lot of water has gone over the dam, Martha continued. "We’ve had a life full of much more happiness than sorrow. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs.

You know, Martha said as Irene removed a hair curler. I’ve become a real burden on you and Paul with my bad attitude. I’m deeply ashamed about how I’ve acted since my last stroke. Getting ready for our big day is just the medicine I needed to bring me to my senses. As Paul always says, ‘Ya gotta try.’

I can’t believe you two have been married 50 years.

Life has been good to us. We may not have much, but we still have each other and the memories of our life together. Martha replied.

You two have kept very busy over the years with all the volunteering you’ve done. The two of you have enough memories to fill a room, Irene agreed.

Fill a room indeed, a very big room, Paul thought to himself as he heard the two women talking in the bathroom. ‘It’s gone in a flash’. Paul settled back into his chair, closed his eyes and recalled their wedding day.

Chapter 1

THE WEDDING DAY

It was December 20th 1935, Paul was thirty three and finally getting married. His mother didn’t think he ever would, so she was even more excited than he. She didn’t want him to move into town, but she would still get to see him, since he would be taking over the day to day running ofthe ranch and still work with his father.

I’m hurrying as fast as I can. I won’t be late. Mom and Dad, you go on ahead of me. I’ll meet you there. It was Martha and Paul’s wedding day and Paul was getting ready to pick up his best man Slim, I’ll have plenty of time to get to the wedding by one in afternoon, he thought to himself.

It’s sure different than when your father and I were married, his mother said. We didn’t have anything. You paid cash for your wedding rings. You rented a brand new house and filled it with fine new furniture and appliances. You have a brand new automobile. You’re starting out like there’s no tomorrow.

That’s true, Mother, his father said. You forget that your son is 33 and has worked hard for the money to buy all them things. Here, let me help you with your tie. We’ll be leaving soon to pick up your sister. We’ll see you at the wedding.

Paul’s mom came into the room and checked him out. He looked wonderful in the new three-piece suit he’d purchased at a fancy store in the big city. She kissed him goodbye as his dad slipped a one-hundred-dollar bill into his pocket and wished him well

Now don’t be late, His mom said going out the door. Remember the streets will be slick from all the rain we’ve been having.

Yes, mom, Paul answered, admiring himself in the mirror. I’ll be careful and be there on time. Don’t worry about me.

About a year earlier, Paul’s dad hired Dave to work for him around the ranch. Living in an older home on the ranch, Paul’s father owned, Dave, his wife Jane and daughters Kathy and Sally became part of Paul and his parents family.

They were wonderful people who loved and cared for each other, but had suffered hard times. They had saved enough money to purchase Christmas decorations, colored ornaments and candles for their Christmas tree. Things were looking up. Dave had a good job and for the first time they were living in a house by themselves

Kathy and Sally were Dave’s pride and joy. He wished he could give them the nicer things in life, but he showered them with love as only a father can. The two girls were happy and in constant motion. Kathy, the oldest with her blond hair and blue eyes was the mischievous one, while Sally, with her long black hair and piercing brown eyes was the cautious one.

I don’t think we should be doing this, Kathy. We’re going to get into trouble. If mom and dad find out, we’ll get a liken," Sally warned her sister

Oh don’t worry Sally. I know what I’m doing. Just be on the look out. We’ll surprise mom and dad when they get up. They’ll see how beautiful the Christmas tree looks, Kathy replied as she took a wooden match from a full box.

I know it looks great, but we’re not suppose to light the candles on in ‘till Christmas Eve. Dad’s going to be mad, and I’m going to tell him what you’re doing.

Don’t be such a cry baby, Kathy interrupted as she lit the first candle. See how pretty they are.

Paul finished dressing and made sure he had everything packed in his suitcase. Satisfied, he loaded it into his car and said goodbye to his dog. This is first day of the rest of my life with Martha, he thought to himself as he left for town.

Checking the large pocket watch his grand father had given him on his twenty-first birthday, Paul saw it was high noon. I’ll have plenty of time to pick up Slim and get to the wedding, he thought to himself.

It was a short drive down the lane by the one-room school house he had attended which was surrounded by dormant hop fields with the hop poles silhouetted against the winter sun.

Daddy, daddy, come quick, Sally yelled at the top her lungs, running into her parents’ bedroom. The Christmas tree is on fire, and Kathy is burning all over!

What? Oh my God! Dave yelled as he jumped out of bed. Jane woke in a fright, looked at her hysterical daughter, and pulled the little girl to her breast.

Get a bucket of water from the rain barrel, Jane! Dave yelled as he ran to help. When he reached the main floor of the house he saw that the Christmas tree had exploded in fire and the flames giving off thick black smoke, The flames had spread rapidly to the window drapery and up the walls reaching the tinder dry walls and high ceilings of the parlor and was raging our of control. He ran into the large room shielding his face from the intense heat. The smoke filled his eyes and lungs as he struggled to find his daughter. He couldn’t see her but he could hear her painful screams. He didn’t know what to do. I can t find my Kathy! I’ve got to make sure Sally and Jane are okay. He thought to himself as he ran out of the house as the fire spread up the stairway leading to the upstairs bedrooms.

As Paul left home, he noticed smoke coming from the direction of Dave and Jane’s place, but assumed Dave was burning some